Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government’s Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department observed Samvidhan Hatya Diwas at the local railway auditorium in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who described the 50th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency in India as a dark chapter in India’s history.
“The atrocities and repression during the Emergency period cannot be forgotten by anyone. However, the purpose of observing this day is to create widespread awareness against authoritarian rule. The Government of India has decided to organise year-long programmes to educate the new generation about this dark chapter in history. The Chief Minister stated that these year-long programmes will conclude on June 25, 2026,”, maintained CM Majhi.
The Chief Minister said that during the Emergency, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fought tirelessly across India to protect the Constitution and the fundamental rights of the people. Many prominent leaders, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani, were imprisoned alongside other top leaders. The repression was so severe that newspapers had only two options: either face closure or have their editors imprisoned. Many chose not to shut down their publications and faced imprisonment instead. Approximately 10,000 journalists were jailed during this period.
When it comes to Odisha, prominent leaders like Dr Harekrushna Mahatab, Biju Patnaik, and Bishwanath Das were arrested during the Emergency. The Chief Minister mentioned that those who fought for democracy and are present today know firsthand the atrocities they faced in jail. He highlighted that during the Emergency, people were imprisoned for months without trial under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), emphasising the harsh treatment meted out to those who opposed the regime.
The Chief Minister mentioned that 108 Loktantra Sainiks are present with them today. He expressed pride in honouring these individuals, stating that since the government’s inception, they have decided to show respect to these democracy fighters. Each Loktantra Sainik receives a monthly pension of ₹20,000 and medical facilities. So far, 56 of them have been approved for pensions, and the process for others is ongoing. He assured that these democracy fighters will soon start receiving their pensions. Just like freedom fighters, Loktantra Sainiks will also be given due respect and honour.
The Minister of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture, Suryabanshi Suraj, welcomed the gathering and emphasised the importance of remembering the mistakes of the past, particularly the Emergency period, as a learning experience for the current generation.
During the event, the Chief Minister and distinguished guests honoured the Loktantra Sainiks who fought against the Emergency. They also inaugurated a procession and an exhibition of paintings depicting the struggle for democracy.
Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan highlighted that the struggles of the past serve as a lesson for the present, emphasising the importance of protecting democracy.
Other notable attendees included MLA Babu Singh, Loktantra Sainiks like Bimbadhar Kuar, Krishna Chandra Jagadev, and Kanhu Charan Behera. Senior leader Amar Prasad Satpathy expressed gratitude to all participants on this occasion.
